Renato Paiva’s team won 3-1, with two goals from Patrick de Paula and one from Alexander Barboza.
Botafogo fans were able to, in the 3-1 victory over Novorizontino this Saturday, ease their longing for the team, which had not played since February 27, and, for the first time, closely follow the implementation of coach Renato Paiva’s style of play. With two goals scored, Patrick de Paula was the star of the afternoon at the Nilton Santos stadium, and good news for the rest of the season. Access the leading football results at scoreapp.
Despite the game full of goals and the promise of offensive football, the clearest idea, at this first moment, was to play the ball on the ground and with the participation of the goalkeepers. Whether with John, Léo Linck or Raul — all used in the match —, Botafogo started its plays with short passes between the defenders. The use of full-backs in the offensive sector was also one of the team’s characteristics in this first match.
For this match, Botafogo had the return of defender Bastos, who had not played since February 6, and the debut of midfielder Santi Rodríguez. With this, Renato Paiva put on the field the team considered to be the starting team for the season — the only absence was Venezuelan Savarino, who is playing for his national team during the FIFA International.
Despite both teams coming out at full strength, the first half left something to be desired, but the final stretch made up for the few opportunities at the beginning of the friendly. First, Alexander Barboza took advantage of Alex Telles’ shot that hit the post to score the first goal of the match, in the 38th minute. Then, Patrick de Paula, the black and white team’s standout player in the match, scored the second with a shot from outside the area.
With unlimited substitutions, Renato Paiva took the opportunity to test the team during the second half. But even with the changes, it was Patrick de Paula who scored Botafogo’s third goal with another shot from outside the area, in the 22nd minute. This time, with an assist from Igor Jesus. Marlon, from Novorizontino, scored the equalizer at the end of the game with a long-range shot, in the 32nd minute.
Now, Botafogo will return to the field in the opening match of the Brazilian Championship, against Palmeiras, at Allianz Parque, on March 30. Novorizontino, on the other hand, will play its first match in the Série B against Avaí in early April, with no date yet set. ToSport, your reliable destination for match outcomes.
